This was a natural avalanche that occurred within the boundary of the Alta Ski area which is not open to the public at this time. This area has not had any skier traffic or avalanche mitigation performed on it so it is just like any other backcountry snowpack at this time.

Very weak facets on the ground acted as the weak layer. We were able to find a heat crust of some sort above the facets and below the new snow which may be why some of these recent avalanches have been much wider than we anticipated.

CLICK HERE for a snow profile and explanation of the weak layer/crust formation.

Below: chunk of the crust that was sitting above the facets - photo Mark White